1977 Volkswagen Convertible Champagne Edition Excerpts from Actual Appraisal by Steve Cram Color: White exterior (original was Champagne-beige metallic); black canvas top; white vinyl to seats and panels, black to dashboard with wood appliqué interior. Odometer: 129,000 miles (semi-documented), 20,000 miles on rebuilt engine. Equipment: VW guilt 1583 (96.6 CID) ohv air-cooled flat 4-cylinder engine/approximately 60 bhp gross; 4-speed manual transmission. Condition: Using the traditional rating scale of 1 to 5 for collector cars (1, mint/show/perfect; 2, very good; 3, good; 4, fair; 5, poor/rough; 6 for unredeemable), this over-restored collector car is in very high #2, very good condition. Stunning restoration on a good original, complete with ultra-fine overhauled correct replacement engine. Exterior: This is a fine physical specimen with zero rust taken down to the nitty-gritty prior to high quality and rather expensive white paint job that is better than original — very durable and showable. Any body alterations were carefully removed prior to paint job. Top: A superb replacement at considerable cost. The top was superbly installed, no wrinkles or kink marks. Struts and bows are all restored to excellent condition; top stacks and erects correctly and is #1. Interior: Also restored and done very well. Black/white sheepskins to front seats for protection. Mats and dash in #1 shape, wood appliqué is a high #2. All instruments operate as they should. Engine compartment: Very clean and detailed. Trunk compartment: Clean and restored. Spare and tools are in fine order. Body wiring is in superior order. Undercarriage: The muffler/exhaust system is in high #2 condition, tight and no noticeable leaks. Absolutely no indications that this car had ever been in a serious accident. Mechanics: A correct replacement engine has been overhauled. The car started quickly and then warmed up making just the right sounds that this unique mill does. The car then tested out perfectly in all ranges. One of the better "Beetles" the appraiser has driven in many years. Transmission was very smooth in up and down shifting. History: The Beetle convertible was introduced in 1953 with great fanfare and has been steadily successful through the years. The convertible conversion was done by the well-known and respected body building company Karmann, of Osnabruck, Germany. By the time this conversion was finished, the convertible was a quieter and somewhat more reliable automobile than the regular stock sedan. Improvements were make to the engine displacement and horsepower making it more satisfying to operate. More creature comforts were added with time, even air conditioning. Production of the Beetle convertible was ended in 1979, mostly due to the high inflation costs and the weak US dollar. Introduction of the "New Beetle" has stirred interest by collectors in the "Old Beetle." Value: This unit seems to have always been pampered and driven very little. Inspection by the appraiser found no evidence of any serious accidents. Overall, this is an over restored unit in ultra-fine condition. Appraised value: $15,000